Henry Pope

Infobox Prison Break character|
first appearance = Pilot
first appearance num = S1E01
last appearance =
last appearance num =
season = 1, 2Episode Count = 23
portrayer = Stacy Keach
name = Henry Pope
occupation = former Warden of Fox River State Penitentiary
family = Judith (wife) Will Clayton (son) (deceased)
relationships =

Warden Henry Pope, played by Stacy Keach, is a fictional character from the American television series, "Prison Break". The character was introduced to the series as the warden of Fox River State Penitentiary.

Background

For eighteen years, Pope has dedicated to making sure prisoners become productive members of society after they are released so he has organized the prison industry (PI) program, which allows inmates to gain real work experience. He also runs an educational program that allows inmates to receive their GED and even bachelor degrees. ["Fox Broadcasting Company", [http://www.fox.com/prisonbreak/bios/bio_pope.htm Warden Henry Pope's biography] , Official site of Prison Break.] He has been married to Judith for 39 years. However, years earlier while in Toledo, Pope had had an affair and fathered a child, Will Clayton, who later had run-ins with the law and died at 18. Pope admitted the affair to his wife but did not tell her about Will.

Appearances

Season 1

For his 40th wedding anniversary, Pope wanted to give his wife Judy a replica of the Taj Mahal. However, he constructed it poorly and has enlisted the help of Michael Scofield to make sure the structure is stable. Michael has used this time to help himself further his escape plan. Michael's affiliation with Pope soon angered Brad Bellick, the Captain of the Fox River Correctional Officers. While Pope was an honest man who believed in rehabilitation, Bellick was known for both taking bribes and inmate abuse. Pope did not know of the extent of Bellick's corruption and even intended him as his heir after he would retire. Bellick secretly looked down on Pope, viewing him as a softy who was not hard enough on the inmates. But after Pope caught Bellick bad-mouthing him to Governor of Illinois Frank Tancredi he harshly reprimanded him, frightening Bellick.

Agents Paul Kellerman and Daniel Hale attempted to use the information about Pope's illegitimate child to blackmail him into allowing Michael to be transferred to another prison. Though Pope initally gave in to their demands, their efforts later failed when Pope changed his mind and refused the transfer and told his wife about Will. Presumably, she forgave him as Michael continued working on the Taj Mahal replica.

Pope had immense respect for Michael as a structural engineer and as "a decent young man". Their respect and trust between each other increased as Michael regularly visited Pope to help him with his Taj Mahal project. Pope trusted Michael, often leaving him unattended in his office. On the night of the escape, Warden Pope was forced to release Lincoln Burrows from solitary by Michael while he held a shank against him. Pope was shocked and felt betrayed by Michael. He immediately contacted the police and the governor upon the escape.

Season 2

In the fallout of the Fox River Eight escape, when a DOC conduct review committee voted to dock Pope two weeks pay and put him on probation for three months while Bellick was fired, Pope stood by Bellick and resigned in protest. While clearing out his office, Pope was reminded by the model of the Taj Majal of the trust he put in Michael and destroyed it in a fit of rage.

After a 15-episode absence, Pope returned in "Bad Blood", playing a vital role. After Michael discovered that Pope was a member of the cigar club where Frank Tancredi stored a piece of evidence that could exonerate Lincoln, he goes with Sara to Pope's house to ask him to get the evidence for them. After a heated argument, Pope reluctantly agrees, but in exchange he asks Michael to turn himself in. Pope retrieves the evidence, but is cornered outside the club by conspiracy member William Kim, who attempts to arrest him. Pope is rescued by Michael & Lincoln and after they drop him off at his house, Pope tells Michael he doesn't need to turn himself in. The two then parted ways, on at least somewhat good terms.

Production details

The story Pope tells Michael of how Shah Jahan was overthrown by his favorite son before he could finish his "Black Taj Mahal" is an actual theory regarding the Taj Mahal. The story serves as symbolism to the Pope's relationship with Michael; as Michael, perhaps the Pope's "favorite son" in the prison, betrayed the Warden before he could finish the Taj Mahal (he also caused the Warden to resign following the breakout).

References

External links

* [http://www.fox.com/prisonbreak/bios/bio_pope.htm Warden Henry Pope's biography] at Fox.com